I think Alaska would be neat, but the cost to get there is probably prohibitive.

This is my worry too. Doing some preliminary flight checks, the cheapest I could find from LAX was $540+ per person, and I know we couldn't do that. It makes me sad, though, because I do love Alaska (and Juneau in particular).

Also, a good friend lives in Tucson, and there are very few cheap flights there from this part of the world.

There are cheap flights to Phoenix, though, which is a couple of hours away.

Seattle has the advantage of plenty of locals for driving, possible crash space, and insider knowledge.

Very true.

FWIW, I've driven from Phoenix to Tucson and back. The cost of the difference in airfare more than made up for the price of renting a car, plus then I had a car to get around Tucson in.

You know, if I'm going to go all the way to Seattle, I might as well consider taking a side trip to Alaska while I'm out that way. Since I had no idea what my job/vacation situation will be next year, I can dream big.

Well, Nate has let us know that he'd like to go out west for his birthday trip next summer and we were considering an Alaska cruise, winding up in Vancouver. However, depending on the timing, we could easily come down to Seattle for at least a couple of days.

That would be a wicked fun trip.

Please note that *I* did not suggest "a resort," as the links demonstrate. Many of had lodging ranging from complete hotel comfort to hostel-like dorms to camping, giving lots of options for people on a budget and/or who like to camp.

When you can walk down to the beach by yourself, or go hike a trail, I'm just saying: there's nothing about a retreat center type place that doesn't allow escape time from Buffistas, in fact, better and more options for escape time than a hotel IMHO. But then I fall into the camp of people who prefers to go off on her own exploring (city or beach or country) and just really wants to have dinner with other people and swap stories of what the exploring that day turned up. Well, and I'd rather spend $35/day on lodging than $110 with tax. Even renting a car would still be much cheaper than hotels for days.

But whatever! Portland is great. There's a Marriott Suites across the river from Portland that has really nice spacious rooms with fireplaces and kitchen and a train right outside that crosses to Portland in about 5 minutes. Seattle is great.

Theo, Tucson in March is a fabulous break, right about when you start to think that it'll never stop being cold and rainy. But summer? ::shudder:: Maybe we could do both! PNW in July or Aug., and Tucson in March!

Could I put in my two cents' worth for someplace urban? my idea of roughing it is akin to Barb's ... and, in addition, I get nervous if I'm someplace with no public transit. Yeah ... total urbanite.

The cheapest airfare is to fly into Albuquerque, and then it's an hour's drive to Santa Fe.

And, of course, if you don't make that left turn, who knows where you'll end up.

Seattle sounds best to me, thought Portland doesn't sound bad either.

I haven't been to a high-temp, ultra-low-humidity place since I started having hot flashes so perhaps I shouldn't be so eager for summer Tucson until I've given it a try again! My experience makes me think that I would feel very comfortable (i.e. not sweaty!), at least as long as I took care to stay hydrated.

I'd certainly contemplate some sort of Tucson mini-F2F in March, but since I can have no way of planning for whether I'll have a job, have enough money and/or vacation time, that is going to have to be put on hold.

Anyway, I hope I haven't offended with my Tucson boosterism -- it's just that it's a terrific place I wish I could show off personally to all of you, having had multiple chances to explore it as a tourist with the help of some local friends, and knowing deep down how cool it would be, because it fits so much of the criteria offered up for a suitable location!

::sadly puts away cheerleaderish pompoms and Miss Tucson 2008 sash::

Here it is: Arizona will have to freeze over before I'll get onboard for a summer f2f there.

I've been to Vegas in October. Dry heat is still heat—it may not feel as unpleasant as the same temperature when humid, but it dehydrates people and saps their energy just the same.

There was decidedly wilting amongst the general run of attendees in New Orleans for temperatures in the mid 90s, and it kept me mostly hugging my room's air conditioning vent in a city where I'd normally be roaming the streets until the wee hours. I don't think locations where the mercury could easily rise over 100° will work out.

100-plus degrees + corsetry = does not sound like the best plan ever to me.

edited to dorkily, dorkily correct my fake math.

Humidity does matter. But it only matters so much. Once you get over 100, you're sunk.

New Orleans may not be the best example. Because those 95 degree temps were probably accompanied by 95 percent humidity. There's no way to deal with that short of staying indoors.

Drinking lots of water helps deal with drier heat. Or have I mentioned getting heat stroke during our last vacation?